OECS Building Codes

PREFACE

The chain of islands which comprise the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States is historically
subject to the frequent invasions of destructive hurricanes, and in some islands the additional hazard
of earthquakes. Volcanic eruptions are also hazards in at least two of the islands of the group.

Unfortunately also many houses, generally owned or occupied by the poor, are sited in gullies or in
flood plains and are especially vulnerable to floods caused by high rainfall resulting from the frequent
tropical depressions and hurricanes.